Chapter 5 (CHAPTER 5) A NEW WORLD

(July 7th 2023)

(Elowen Hayes's pov)

10 years ago Lila died and today I live as Elowen, the poor orphaned girl believed to be dead happened to still live...

The smell of fresh morning accompanied by the loud buzz of my alarm clock. Reluctantly I pulled away the heavy duvet cover as I forced my eyes open, perhaps I had forgotten to close the curtains before sleeping. Heavy daylight seeped directly into my eyes as I forced my eyes close again.

Finally I dragged my lazy self off the bed pushing myself to find my mirror. I stayed up the whole night preparing a presentation I forgot to arrange...

After a quick shower as I prepared for work, the buzzing of my phone quickly got my attention, "Sweetheart," the name displayed as I swiped to answer my call.

"Happy birthday!!" Both my parents shouted in unison. Quickly I looked around at the calendar. How could I completely forget my birthday?

"Oh Thank you so much," I said sincerely after listening to their song.

"Don't tell me you forgot yet again," I could hear the worry in my father's voice as I immediately lied.

"Why would I forget my birthday? I thought you guys wouldn't remember," I covered up as they seemed to calm down.

"Please take it easy on yourself, don't work too hard and try visiting home soon please," My mothers voice began, I paused to listen to her with a smile on my face.

"I hope you find what you are waiting for, I really wish you happiness, my child," Were her last words before the call ended...

Again like always a hectic day in the marketing department as the new president is rumored to come in today, just a month ago the previous president was fired after he was involved in fraud and mismanagement. Since the company has been preparing to Launch a new product we worked closely with him and as the assistant manager of our department, I worked my butt off only for him to ruin it all.

Months of work down the drain but thankful there is a new president and I hope this one picks up the project without many changes or it's about to be a very long month.

"Good morning Miss Hayes," Kiera greeted, "The New hire, you can tell just how inexperienced she is with just one look, she casually plugged her ears with a headset in the office as she casually greeted her superior not batting an eye.

Not really in the mood to correct anybody I made my way to my desk only nodded to greetings.

"Five minutes late," my manager chipped in, Mrs Danver, my mortal enemy, she is just one rank above me. We weren't always enemies till she stole my proposal and got promoted instead of me.

"Maybe if I didn't stay up all night working I would have been earlier but who knows..." I sat down hoping to cut any chances of further conversation.

"I suppose you know the new president is coming today, you don't know when he will show up," she continued as I logged in to the work system while still looking at her.

"Because of the sudden notice of a new boss, she stayed behind late last night compiling the whole draft," Upon hearing the voice speak on my behalf I stood up, the General manager, Alistair. While not in our department he shows up every once in a while.

"Good morning," I greeted lowering my head as he smiled moving towards Mrs Danver while I sat back down...

At exactly Noon and still no sign of the new boss, the previous chaos and drama in the morning had gradually subsided as slowly in tropes they went out for their lunch break, well except for Mrs. Danver, who had her legs hanging on her desk with a non-work-related tabloid in front of her unable to hold herself, I let out a low scoff slowly stretching my legs under my desk while I leaned back on my chair, closing my eyes.

"Oh my Goodness! You won't believe this guys!" Keira the new intern Rushed in excitement, my eyes remained closed as I pretended to be asleep. She is young and always energized for some reason.

"This is Soap opera-worthy news, somebody needs to write this down and put it in a movie," she continued excitedly. A low grunt escaped my mouth. If not that I was pretending to be asleep I would have said something about her noise ...

"As I was enjoying my lunch I felt thirsty so I opted for coffee instead of Soda today, and our coffee machine just spoiled yesterday which led me to the design department..." Just listening to her talk, I began having a headache.

"That was where I overheard that the heir of the company had returned and he crashed the board meeting today," she announced. My eyes immediately flashed open.

"What did you just say?" I asked, cutting her short.

"Repeat what you just said right now?" I asked again in disbelief.

"The real heir of MIRAGE is back, all this while I thought it was the chairwoman's son, LIUS FOSTER. But apparently, it's her Nephew who doesn't even share the same surname," Every cell in my body, every fiber of my being, woke up.

Before I could control myself I already stood on my feet, like I am being controlled, like I no longer have my senses with me, rather my heart was leading me, all this while. I worked day and night like a Zombie. Without feeling and without looking back I did everything for this very same day. A rush of memories. Both good and bad descended on me as I continued on my way.

I pushed through the door heading straight to the board room, I have to see him for myself, my mind going wild. I have to be sure. It has to be him.

"Does that mean that he is the new President? Could that be the case?"

"Elowen!" The voice of the General manager called me back, taken aback I turned around to see him looking at me with a raised brow. For a moment I got to think about my decision.

"Where are you heading to?" He asked as I struggled to stabilize my breath.

"Come say your greetings to the new president, where were you heading to?"

"The president?" I asked my thoughts going wild, could he really be the one or it's just a coincidence that the day the president came in so did he? Behind me, I heard as Mrs Danver approached.

"Am sorry for keeping you waiting sir," she apologized, heading into his office.

Right in front of me was a stoned-faced young man in his 30s, close age as Alastair. No single resemblance. Perhaps I was too excited. Disappointed, I lowered my gaze.

"Good day, You are welcome, we are sorry for not coming to personally welcome you," Mrs Danver greeted. Eying me up and down for my hesitation, I watched as Alistair offered his greeting while I reluctantly greeted him. Nothing that was said made sense to me. All I could think about was...

The sound of the door opening behind us, a faint scent followed by a strong one, my instincts went off as I immediately turned around and there he was. 'ETHAN!' my inside yelled. There was no way I could forget that face. His handsome face has matured to that of a man.

"I am not the president, he is here now," the young man earlier finally announced, pointing towards Ethan, behind him a young lady whom I didn't notice earlier.

"Uhm our apologies," Mrs. Danver began again, this time I beat her to her game as I stretched out my hand for a handshake, surprising everyone.

"My name is Elowen Hayes, the Assistant manager of the marketing department, I hope to work closely under you diligently and for a very long time," I introduced watching him closely with a smile.

His stares were steady, he could see me, he looked around following every one of my movements closely as if reading me. No way he could see finally. I mean it's been a while. 10 years now. I held myself back from going crazy seeing him has left me shaken.

"Ethan," he replied as I nodded with a smile refusing to let go of his hand. A quick reality check came when he withdrew his hands from mine. What I did was considered problematic, you can only take the hands of your superior if only they offered but in my case, I offered instead...

After the very short introduction, I watched as he worked off with his assistant, and the young lady, watching how she casually touched his arms, pledged my interest. What is the relationship like? He barely spared me a glance the whole time.

Today we met again as strangers.

"Elowen?" A voice called, penetrating through my head. The voice in question belongs to Alistair, the general manager.

"Sir," I answered, turning around to face him.

"You don't have to call me sir while we are alone, remember?" he smiled as he spoke only then did I realize that Mrs Danver had left just me and him.

"Oh sir, not in the working environment, people might misunderstand," I said politely while lowering my head.

"I do not get to see you outside of work environments though," I nodded agreeing while thinking of what reason we should be meeting outside of work.

"hahaha," letting out a laugh for I couldn't find the right word to say to him, a habit I have picked up. I have learned that I tend to have a very mean and unapproachable face so laughing when in doubt helps keep everyone at ease.

"By the way before I forget, Happy birthday," his words took me by surprise as I swallowed. I have never been one to celebrate my birthday in the office so how come he knows?

"Oh...uhm thank you but how..." he cut me short.

"While reevaluating the profiles of your department I stumbled on your file." His answer was a clever excuse as I eyed him suspiciously. It's been five years since I started working here and I know this is not his job but whatever.

"Evaluating? Are we about to be fired?" I said pushing it, he chuckled walking straight to the door as I followed him.

He walked towards our department while I followed him behind. Upon opening the door he stood in the middle clapping his hand to get the attention of everyone.

Attention everyone! Work dinner tonight!" he announced while everybody cheered.

"The company is paying right?" Kiera spoke everyone's mind as they all.

"Of course, it's work dinner," Alistair replied while I stood there confused.

"What's the celebration, sir?" our manager asked.

"It's Elowen's birthday," without even realizing it I was already glaring at him as he walked away.

"It's your birthday boss?" Kiera asked as everybody just muttered under their breath. This has never happened before. Why is he all of a sudden doing this?

"Excuse me_" I walked away following him. I really am in a very good mood now and this will ruin everything.

"Sir, I really don't do birthday celebrations," I said after him as he continued to walk without listening to me.

"I really don't do it even privately, not to talk of missing my work life with my private life."

"Loosening up, it's been how many years now and you are still the same person you were the first day you walked into my office, don't you think it's time you form relationships with your colleagues?" he asked, still moving.

"But not on my birthday," my voice raising as he finally paused.

"Why?" he asked me as I looked at him.

10 years ago this very same day I was shut and shoved down from a cliff, I watched my life slip right away from my eyes. As darkness descended upon me.

I thought it was all over, it was. There was no hope for me again, Mrs. Foster killed me, she sent her man to kill me. Only for me to wake up washed off by the shore of the river...